[10PacRimLPolyJ749] Demographic Crisis in Japan: Why Japan Might Open its Doors to Foreign Home Health-Care Aides

Abstract:

Abstract: Japan is currently facing a two-fold demographic crisis: its birthrate is
rapidly falling and its population is rapidly aging. Despite the present recession, Japan is
confronting a significant shortage of workers in the health-care field. There may not be
enough home health-care aides to meet the needs of all of the elderly who are eligible for
visits under Japan's new long-term care insurance program. The Ministry of Justice has
recently proposed allowing more foreigners to work in Japan. The proposal encourages
the admission of immigrants to work as "home helpers," an occupation that is considered
unskilled. This proposal marks a major departure from Japan's long-established official
ban on unskilled foreign workers, and it has sparked controversy about whether Japan
should open itself to increasing numbers of foreign residents. This Comment describes
Japanese elder care, explores potential foreign and domestic solutions to the shortage of
home health-care workers, and concludes that Japan is likely to admit unskilled
immigrants to fill labor shortages related to elder care.